January 3rd, Han University
The first semester just began at Han University in the cold winter of South Korea. The temperature was currently negative five and students rush around to get to their classes in their thick sweater, trying to avoid the cold. While everyone else was rushing, it seems two people were oblivious of the cold weather as they sat under the once blooming cherry blossom tree. They were cold but they didn't mind it at all as it has been almost two months since they last met each other.
"How was your Christmas? Did you receive any presents other than mine?" Bogum asks as he gave a soft smile towards Joohyun.
Joohyun smile withered as she shook her head. This doesn't come as a surprise to Bogum since Joohyun family wasn't very welcoming of her. Her mother was a famous bar singer and one day Ms. Bae receives a request to sing for a VIP. She didn't think much of it and accepted it since it was her job. The VIP turns out to be Mr. Kim, the eldest son of the Kim's and the CEO of Kim's Holding. Ms. Bae was nervous but she didn't let that stop her from doing her best for her client. And because she did her best, Mr. Kim was attracted to her and thus, a scandalous relationship was started.
They were deeply in love and somehow, Mrs. Kim found out about their relationship but she didn't stop her husband. She simply told them not to create unwanted trouble that she was to eventually clear up for them. He agreed and both Mr. Kim and Ms. Bae continued their relationship in bliss. But that wasn't until Ms. Bae was found pregnant. Mr. Kim was happy but he knew his family wouldn't accept the child of his mistress and Ms. Bae was also not fond of the idea of her child being mistreated by his family.
"It's okay... I will take care of her myself... No matter what happens, I won't ever let her be a part of the Kim's. She deserves better than to be restricted by your family..." Ms. Bae told Mr. Kim as he nodded. He understands why she said that and promise her that that wouldn't happen.
But who would have thought that the day their child would have to be a part of the Kim's would come sooner then they would have expected. As soon as Ms. Bae gave birth to Joohyun, she died because of excessive bleeding. Mr. Kim was devastated when he heard the news that his lover had died giving birth to their child. If he knew, he would have asked Ms. Bae to just abort the baby. To him, the baby meant nothing if his lover wasn't here by his side and raising Joohyun together.
"I hate the fact that you are the reason why my lover had died and the fact that you are the only thing she left behind... But just like what I had promised her, you will not be a part of the Kim's nor will I ever treat you like my daughter. You are nothing to me and I'm raising you only because my wife took pity of you..." Mr. Kim looks at the young Joohyun that was sleeping in the baby cot before leaving the room.
Years had past and Joohyun was slowly growing up to become such an elegant and beautiful lady. But the more she grew, the more she looks like Ms. Bae and this didn't please Mr. Kim at all. Every time he saw Joohyun, he would be reminded of Ms. Bae and his heart would ache so bad knowing that she wasn't here with him and it was all because of Joohyun. Of course, the only one that knew she was Ms. Bae child was Mr. and Mrs. Kim.
Everybody else thought she was just an adopted child which still didn't make her life easy. Mrs. Bae first and second child wasn't really fond of her since when she first came in, Mrs. Bae would neglect them and took care of Joohyun all the time. But how could they actually blame Joohyun, she was still a baby and needed attention. So till this day, she was hated on by almost the whole family.
"Baekhyun didn't give you any gift too? I remember him asking me what you like..." Said Bogum as he was reminded of that childish kid.
Baekhyun is Mr. Kim step-son. When Mrs. Kim died of a car accident, Mr. Kim was a total mess. He locked himself up in his room for weeks and didn't eat. His kids were thankfully taken care of by the maids and his workload was cleared off by his father. His family knew that it would take some time for him to accept reality and they just left him be. As he got better, the elders suggest that he remarried so that at least his kids won't grow up without a mother.
"Dad... Please don't get married... We don't want anyone as our mother if it's not mom... I know mom is gone but please dad... Mom wouldn't want you to get married to another woman after she's gone..." Cried twelve-year-old Taeyeon as ten-year-old Taehyung cling behind her, looking sad.
Mr. Kim decided to decline at first since his kids disagree to it but after a few weeks back at work, he realizes that his kids are alone when he came back from work and that his kids would grow up without a mother's love. With that thought, he remarried again, this time with Mrs. Byun. The Byun's had helped the Kim's with a lot for them to come this far and since Mrs. Byun also lost his husband because of an accident, the elders decided for them to get married.
"Kids... This will be your new mother, Mrs. Byun and this will be your new younger brother, Baekhyun. Please treat them nicely since they are a part of this family now..." Mr. Kim said to his kids but none of them react. They just simply walk off into their bedroom.
At this time, Joohyun had come out from the kitchen after washing the dishes and met eyes with Mrs. Byun. "Oh. Hi there... And who might you be? I never saw you earlier..." Ask Mrs. Byun as she looks at Joohyun and smile. Joohyun bows her head out of respect before heading to her room in the basement. She had no reason to reply since Mr. Kim had told her once before, not to talk or even open her mouth as long as she's in the house.
And being the obedient kid, since then she had never spoken up a word when she was in the house. Even if someone asks her something or her other two siblings was bullying her, she never has spoken up even once. Only when Mr. Kim ask her to answer, would she then open her mouth to speak. That was one of the reasons why she likes going to school since she was free to speak and wasn't restrained by anything.
"Bogum ah... I think we should get going now. The bell is going to ring soon and we are still out here. Let's meet up for lunch later okay? I'll call you." Bogum nodded as he gave her a smile and look at the image of Joohyun back gone from his sight. He sighs. Would today be the perfect day for him to ask her? He wonders as he stood up from the bench and walk off to his class...